Pronunciation guide

Vowels

Consonants

Common diphthongs

Phrase list

Basics

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice
Just for the sake of being "friendly," please do not use the informal greetings with the elderly, dignitaries or generally with people who are not your friends. Respect for elderly and people with authority is paramount in Ethiopia. Therefore, in order not to give your acquaintance a wrong impression of yourself, make sure you adjust your behaviour according to the circumstances.

Hello. (formal)

Tena yistilign. ()

Hello. (informal)

Seulam. ()

How are you? (respectful to elder)

Dunna noT? ( ?)

How are you (informal, to a man)

Endemin-neh? ()

How are you (informal, to a woman)

Endemin-nesh? ()

Fine, thank you.

Dunna ñuey. ()

What is your name? (to a man)

Simeh man naw? ( ?)

What is your name? (to a woman)

Simish man naw? ( ?)

My name is ______ .

Sime ______ yibalal. ( _____ .)

Nice to meet you.

. ()

Please.

Ebakih. (to a man)

Please.

Ebakish. (to a woman)

Thank you (very much).

(Betam) ahmesugenalew. ()

You're welcome.

Minem Aydelem. (meaning 'no problem' )

Yes.

awo. ()

No.

aye; aydelem. ()

OK.

ishi ()

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Yiqirta. ()

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Yiqirta. ()

I'm sorry.

Yiqirta. ()

Goodbye

Dehna hun. (to a man)

Goodbye

Dehna hugni. (to a woman)

Goodbye (informal)

. ()

I can't speak name of language [well].

[ ]. ( [ ])

Do you speak English?

Englizegna tichilaleh? (to a man)

Do you speak English?

Englizegna tichiyalesh? (to a woman)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Englizegna michel sew aleh? ( ?)

Help!

! ( !)

Look out!

! ( !)

Good morning.

. ()

Good evening.

. ()

Good night.

. ()

Good night (to sleep)

. ()

I don't understand.

Algebagnem. ()

Where is the toilet?

Metatebiya bet yet new? ( ?)

Problems

Numbers

Time

Clock time

Duration

Days

Months

September = Meskerem
October = Tikimt
November = Hidar
December = Tahisas
January = Tir
February = Yekatit
March = Megabit
April = Miyaziya
May = Ginbot
June = Senay
July = Hamle
August = Nehasie